The Only Play That Matters / Guest Post by Dan Bartel

Recovering from foot surgery has me sidelined from my normal activity. ‘Tis the season for college bowl games and NFL playoffs, which I usually pay little attention to. However, being confined to a recliner this year, I have watched more football than in the previous decade combined. This has reminded me of my life in the 80’s and early 90’s that was dominated by a marginal football career.

Today’s TV coverage affords hearing the QB’s snap count and calling out audibles. Back in the day, the way a QB let us know that he was changing things up was by yelling two words, “OMAHA, OMAHA!” Why a town in Nebraska known only for corn and steaks was the word used to change the play, I do not know, but it did get our attention.
It dawned on me that our Heavenly Father, the Vinedresser, our Creator, and Sovereign Play Caller has but one play he wants me to execute. While the Playbook may include 66 books, they all point to the effectiveness of one single play - Abiding in Christ. The Playbook describes how player after player sought to change the play for some presumed benefit with dire consequences. Then, it describes the times seemingly mediocre players stuck to abiding and accomplished incredible feats. David, Gideon, Joshua, Moses, Mary, Peter…all trusted God when life’s circumstances seemed so overwhelming.

Rocky Fleming closes a book with this statement, “If there’s one thing that Gabe and I want you to remember from this story, it is: "ABIDE, ABIDE, ABIDE!"

Often, I feel like the Sovereign Play Caller calls a time out, and I jog to meet Him on the sideline where He says, “Remember the game plan?” I sheepishly nod in agreement. “Son, no matter what you think, feel, or even see out there, it’s Abide on 1, you got that?” “Yes, Coach,” I reply with limited conviction. “Son, it’s not just this time but every time. Understand?” “Sure, Coach.” Then, as I run back out on the field, my mind is racing and thinking back to all the plays in which I failed at my assignment, and I think it’s better to just yell, “OMAHA!” and give the ball to someone else, someone far more qualified than I. When in the huddle with my brothers, I say, “Coach says it’s ABIDE on 1, no matter what…ready, break!” Walking up to the line and getting under center, it’s hard not to see how the linebackers are lined up for a full-out blitz, and fear sets in. How about just a quick pass? Why does it have to be this slow-developing play of abiding every time? The defense knows the play, and I’m going to get creamed. What if I just slip off into the crowd, find a comfy bleacher, and simply cheer for someone else?

So what is it going to be, ole boy? “OMAHA” or “ABIDE"? This isn’t a one-and-done deal, as I am coming to realize. Every day when I get up, I’d better review that Playbook because it is the only play that will bear success, no matter what I see facing me. I remind myself that my Coach knows everything and is extremely gracious and that He cares too much for me to ever shout me down. I remember that He is not just on the sidelines but is willing to step on the field and is more than able to handle all the giants I see just on the other side of the line. The Playbook is extremely frank that “ABIDE on 1” is my only hope. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5, ESV). Calling “OMAHA” will fail. Why don’t I just trust the process? I have seen “ABIDE on 1” work miraculously before for me and others, time after time.

That rascal, the devil, knows well the effectiveness of ABIDE and how foolproof it is; he has built his whole defense strategy around getting me to check down. His only hope is to try distraction, intimidation, seemingly easier options, loss of comfort, doubt, fear, shame…whatever it takes for me to abandon running “ABIDE on 1”. I need to be ready and resolute about the Coach’s decision. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, it’s got to be “ABIDE on 1”. Ugh, this is hard.

So what is it going to be, ole boy, the play clock is winding down?